H.R.1994 / 105th Congress

To amend the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the establishment of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for other purposes" to ensure an opportunity for persons who convey property for inclusion in that national lakeshore to retain a right of use and occupancy for a fixed term, and for other purposes.

Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 19, 1997

Revises Federal provisions establishing the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore to eliminate the requirements that a person owning improved property included within the Lakeshore's boundaries must have owned such property on October 1, 1991, and must have made a bona fide written offer not later than October 1, 1997, to sell the property to the Secretary of the Interior in order to retain a right of occupancy and use of such property for noncommercial residential purposes for a fixed term not to extend beyond October 1, 2020. Provides that for purposes of provisions authorizing the acquisition for the Lakeshore of lands outside the Lakeshore boundaries, lands may be considered contiguous if they touch or are separated from lakeshore lands by only a public or private right-of-way such as a road, railroad, or utility corridor. Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands within the boundaries of the Lakeshore from State or local government units by satisfaction of delinquent State or local taxes.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Visclosky, Peter J. [D-IN-1] · D–IN

Committees

Natural Resources Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Jun 24, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks and Public Lands.
Jun 19, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Resources.
Jun 19, 1997
Introduced in House
Jun 19, 1997
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jun 19, 1997 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.1994 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss H.R.1994, 105th Congress: To amend the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the establishment of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for other purposes" to ensure an opportunity for persons who convey property for inclusion in that national lakeshore to retain a right of use and occupancy for a fixed term, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1994

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-06-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1994/BILLS-105hr1994ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:23:30Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.1994 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.1994 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1994, 105th Congress: To amend the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the establishment of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for other purposes" to ensure an opportunity for persons who convey property for inclusion in that national lakeshore to retain a right of use and occupancy for a fixed term, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1994

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-06-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1994/BILLS-105hr1994ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:23:30Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1994 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.1994 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1994, 105th Congress: To amend the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the establishment of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for other purposes" to ensure an opportunity for persons who convey property for inclusion in that national lakeshore to retain a right of use and occupancy for a fixed term, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1994

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-06-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1994/BILLS-105hr1994ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:23:30Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1994 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.1994 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.1994, 105th Congress: To amend the Act entitled "An Act to provide for the establishment of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and for other purposes" to ensure an opportunity for persons who convey property for inclusion in that national lakeshore to retain a right of use and occupancy for a fixed term, and for other purposes.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/1994

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1997-06-19.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/105/bills/hr1994/BILLS-105hr1994ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-04-07T15:23:30Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.1994 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.